1. The Short Answer Question
AP U.S. History Revisions - APAC 2012

2. Short Answer: The Details
4 questions in 45 minutes
11.25 minutes per question
Each question consists of three tasks
Each task is worth one point, three points total per question
AP U.S. History Revisions - APAC 2012

3. Short Answer: The Answer
A thesis is not required!!!
Read the questions carefully. What is it asking and what is it asking you to do?
You need to write quality sentences that are concise and content-rich.
You must write in complete sentences. Outlines or bullets are not acceptable.
You of course need accurate evidence in support of your arguments.
This requires economy in writing. Tough to do, but you’ll get better with practice.
AP U.S. History Revisions - APAC 2012

4. Defining the Historical Thinking Skills
Proficiencies defined across the three AP History courses:
Thinking Skills Type
Historical Thinking Skills
Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence
Historical argumentation
Appropriate use of relevant historical evidence
Chronological Reasoning
Historical causation
Patterns of continuity and change over time
Periodization
Comparison and Contextualization
Comparison
Contextualization
Historical Interpretation and Synthesis
Interpretation
Synthesis
AP U.S. History Revisions - APAC 2012

5. Defining Course Themes
Overarching “big ideas” that structure the course as a whole:
Identity
Work, Exchange and Technology
Peopling
Politics and Power
America in the World
Environment and Geography
Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture
Course Themes 7
AP U.S. History Revisions - APAC 2012 5

6. What historical thinking skills do you need for this question?
Answer A and B
A) Choose ONE of the following events listed below, and explain why your choice best represents the beginning of an American identity. Provide at least ONE piece of evidence to support your explanation.
End of the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War) in 1763
Signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788
B) Contrast your choice against ONE of the other options, demonstrating why that option is not as good as your choice.
What historical thinking skills do you need for this question?
What themes are involved?
Could you answer this in under 12 minutes?
AP U.S. History Revisions - APAC 2012